Pacific Specialists Healthcare recently launched Pill Cams, also known as Capsule Endoscopy, leading to a high demand for the service and prompting the hospital to order additional supplies to ensure continuous service.
Parvish Kumar, the director and CEO of PSH, noted that following the announcement of this new technology, they quickly realized just how popular it would be. “We have already placed orders for more, which we should receive within a week, to prevent any disruption in our services,” he stated.
Kumar emphasized the importance of maintaining adequate stock levels, ensuring that the hospital has supplies for a minimum of three months. “We always consider supply chain logistics and are working on strategies to minimize disruptions,” he added.
The new diagnostic technology, which allows for the examination of the digestive tract, was expected to be sought after, but Kumar admitted that the actual demand exceeded their forecasts. “Our initial expectation was a 4 to 5 percent increase compared to conventional methods based on existing literature from neighboring countries,” he explained.
Kumar advocates for the use of this technology, particularly for individuals over 65, suggesting they should undergo this procedure every two years to help detect bowel cancer. “We were surprised by the volume of patients seeking this procedure,” he noted.
The capsule endoscopy system involves swallowing a small capsule equipped with a camera that captures images of the small intestine. “It provides a non-invasive method for our doctors to visualize the small bowel, which is often unreachable during standard endoscopy procedures,” Kumar stated.
Additionally, PSH Nadi has experienced an uptick in patients, including tourists seeking treatment for various medical conditions. “We’ve had tourists arriving in critical conditions, requiring stabilization before Medivac arrangements could be made to return them to their home countries,” Kumar remarked. The increase in patient numbers is partly due to the hospital’s new 24-hour operational capacity, which allows for expert medical care to be available at all times.
Looking ahead, Kumar mentioned that PSH is planning to introduce more advanced technologies that will enhance healthcare services in Fiji. “Our goal is to provide world-class medical procedures and treatments for both Fiji and the Pacific Islands,” he affirmed.
He also expressed his commitment to making healthcare more affordable for local and regional patients, stating, “I understand our patient base and am consistently looking for ways to improve healthcare financing and promote universal health coverage.”